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UPDATES:
5:10 pm: National Defense spokesperson Maly Socheata said at a press briefing that the situation in the fourth and fifth military regions remained calm as of 4:00 pm today (December 30). It follows a ceasefire agreement signed between Cambodia and Thailand which took effect at noon on December 27.
5:05 pm: Thailand is considering the timing of the release of the 18 Cambodian soldiers after its security agencies alleged that it detected Cambodian drones encroaching Thailand’s sovereign airspace.
This constituted a violation of article six of the Joint Statement signed on December 27 following the General Border Committee meeting, according to Thai Foreign Affairs spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura at a press conference at 3:30 pm.
The spokesperson said that both countries’ Defense Ministries are in communication in line with Article 14 of the joint statement.
In a latest move, Cambodia has issued a notice prohibiting drone flights nationwide, particularly along the Thai Cambodian border.
Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defense has also refuted Thai accusations of flying drones over Thai airspace.
The situation along the Cambodia–Thailand frontier remains calm as the first 72 hours of the ceasefire, crucial to the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers, expired at 12 pm on Tuesday. But, there has been no news so far of their release as families await their return after 154 days of captivity in Thailand as of today (December 30).
Amid this, the Thai military alleged that Cambodia flew drones violating Thai airspace, as well as a landmine explosion which injured a Thai soldier—allegations which have been denied by Cambodia.
On December 27, National Defense Minister Tea Seiha said that if the ceasefire is fully implemented in 72 hours, it will provide the Thai side the possibility to release the soldiers.
Pailin provincial governor Ban Sreymom posted at 12:16 pm today (December 30) that authorities had not received information regarding the release of the 18 soldiers. She urged families and other people not to gather at the border, which could disrupt the situation, and that they would update them if they receive any news about it.
An analyst and a human rights NGO officer said the 72-hour ceasefire has been “fragile” following its announcement, particularly after Thailand reported the mine explosion and accused Cambodia of flying drones into its sovereign territory.
“Those excuses show that the Thais could continue to fight Cambodia,” political analyst Ly Sreysros said, alleging that although a Joint Peace Declaration was signed in Kuala Lumpur, the Thai military resumed attacks, including airstrikes where bombs were dropped deeper into Cambodian territory.
Cambodia has denied Thailand’s allegations that it launched more than 250 drones that were detected “flying from Cambodia” and violated Thailand’s sovereign territory on December 28.
A Thai army spokesman said the incidents occurred in Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, and Buri Ram provinces, claiming that they indicated continued hostile intent, leading Thailand to consider countermeasures to protect border communities and its sovereignty.
“Cambodia completely refutes these accusations,” National Defense spokesperson Maly Socheata said at a press briefing on Tuesday.
The Cambodian government and armed forces asserted their “firm and sincere” commitment to the implementation of the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special Meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) with Thailand on December 27.
The Defense Ministry and provinces along the border have banned all types of
drones without permission in the capital and provinces, notably border provinces for security and public order reasons.
Meanwhile, Ny Sokha, president of rights group Adhoc, said they have seen Thai soldiers acting aggressively and attempting to provoke armed conflict by using mine explosions as an excuse.
“We are still concerned because this is not the first ceasefire regarding border disputes between Cambodia and Thailand,” he said.
Echoing Sokha, NGO Forum executive director Soeung Saroeun said, “ceasefires are continuously enforced but it is unpredictable how long it will last.”
The Thai side would test Cambodia’s patience today regarding the release of 18 soldiers that might not be done as per agreement.
As of December 29, 2025, two days after the latest ceasefire, 14,963 displaced persons have returned to their homes, with 596,926 displaced persons remaining in the shelters, including 311,599 women and 187,597 children, according to the Interior Ministry.
Koh Kong provincial spokesperson Chhit Ratanak said that a majority of 3,000 families have returned to their homes, adding that the current situation is calm at the Koh Kong border.
